Archive for February, 2014

As we progress in our walk with the Lord, some develop a keen eye for what can be rightly called “love tokens” from the Lord. The King has given them countless times down through history. One of the well-known signs from the Lord was the Elijah sign of the wild birds, losing their natural scared instinct of man, and coming in close contact with Elijah on a regular basis.(1 Kings 17:4-6)

A couple of days ago, I had gotten home from work in the afternoon and the sky was mostly clear except for a few clouds over near the surrounding mountains. There was not even a hint of rain, as those clouds were white. Yet, what did I see there in the sky among those clouds? A small rainbow. I knew that the Lord had given another love token. Like the Elijah sign was to Elijah, I saw it as a direct sign from the Lord.

As we’ve posted on signs from the Lord, we recently came across a truly amazing sign that was given to a close brother in the faith that had to be shared. Brother B (name omitted for privacy), is truly one of those “rare” friends that just seems to be at the right place and at the right time.

Allow me to give a little history of my friendship with Brother B. We became friends on Facebook about 4 years ago. However, not much conversation had taken place between us before a truly “divine and providential” occurrence happened.

As many of you know, I have written of my Christian walk and experiences since November 2009. And as such, I have written of the transformation that has taken place. We are instructed that we must be ever advancing in our walk and learning His truths.

“We must not think, “Well, we have all the truth, we understand the main pillars of our faith, and we may rest on this knowledge.” The truth is an advancing truth, and we must walk in the increasing light” (Counsels to Writers and Editors, page 33).

So as progression occurred, ever listening and doing my best to obey the Lord’s path for me, I discovered by divine providence His –Elijah message. Before this happened if someone would have come up to me and said, “Rob you need the Elijah message, it’s the Lord’s last message for you.” I would have said, “What?” “I know the Lord and keep His Commandments, how come I need this?”

The following is the understanding I have received from the Lord as to the basics we need to “advance” in our walk.

1) Learn His divine 10 Commandments. The short version is fine, but the key is that you know them 1 to 10 and 10 to 1. If someone comes to you and asks you what is Commandment 6? Without hesitation you can answer it.

“Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who delights greatly in His Commandments.” (Psalms 112:1)

By applying them you frequently ask yourself such questions as, “have I been honoring my parents?” “have I been truly keeping the Sabbath–holy?”, “have I been coveting things?” and so forth. In other words daily we say in our heart–

“I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.”(Psalms 119:174)

3) As you continue to keep His Commandments in your heart and mind, your life gets rearranged. No longer do you carelessly waste your time in worldly entrapment’s such as , watch TV, listen to worldly music, engage in worldly entertainment– movie theaters, amusement parks, etc. You watch carefully for any “idols” to sneak into your life. An idol being anything that takes up your precious time and diverts you from the Lord on a regular basis. It could be a hobby, social club, TV, worldly reading, card playing, etc.

Let me clarify the issue of TV. I believe that as Scripture says (Romans 14:14) “nothing of itself is bad” it’s only when we misapply it or misuse it that it can become bad. For instance, I occasionally watch news, or a documentary or such. But if we watch it for our “soap operas” or “thriller movies” etc. then we may find ourselves getting caught up in a “worldly” pleasure, which we are warned by Inspiration, can lead us into snares and entrapments away from the Lord.

4) Then as we do this, the ever watchful Lord, notices that we become “sold-out” to Him. We do indeed “Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul”, the first Commandment. Then the promise is ours–

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8)

5) As all the above takes place, He allows His promise to be fulfilled in us–

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all thetruth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” (John 16:13)

6) We then start to see the Spirit of Truth guiding us in a real way. People are sent in our path for a reason. The arrangements are made in heaven. The Lord takes us “up” to ride upon “the high hills of the earth” (Isaiah 58:14). Advancing truth is shown us, the “eye-salve” promised in Rev. 3:18 allows us to see new and exciting truth, especially prophecy. These truths excite and motivate us as nothing can. it really is the “spiritual high”.

7) In our new-found excitement, we want to “go to work” in His vineyard spreading His “present truth” to our brethren. We are given an understanding of this last message of Elijah, also known as the “sealing message”. Our understanding is in our forehead, which means our mind, and as such we are “sealed in the forehead” with His truth.

“..the people of God are sealed in their foreheads–it is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually andspiritually, so they cannot be moved..”( Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p.1161)

I wanted to lay the above foundation because, this was where I was spiritually when I happened to be posting about the new-found truths on Facebook a few years ago. But as I was posting about them, a friend came on and said, ” Rob that’s Shepherd’s Rod teachings , stay away , it’s off-shoot teachings.” Surprised, I said ” I don’t know what you are talking about, all I know is that what I have learned is truth, it’s based on Scripture and EGW.” At this point I didn’t know what a “Shepherd’s Rod” was from a car’s tension rod.

Anyway as the discussion went on, a very close brother (we even had a joint website where we posted updated Biblical studies) in the faith joined in. Again to my surprise, he started agreeing with the other friend that it was bad and error teachings. So here I was, being told to quit talking about this new light I had learned. It was already looked into, they said, and if I continued I would be deceived and I would lose my friends support.

As the foundation I laid explained, I knew the Lord, and had received His “Spirit of Truth” so it was decision time. Do I back down and agree that they may be right and that more study is needed, or do I stand my ground and ask them to show me the error? I chose the latter. In fact it became testy and back and forth. But as others were joining in against me, I was surprised to see a “like” come from someone as I posted my rebuttals. Who was this person? It was my friend brother B!

I then private messaged him to get his feedback. I learned that he was aware of the Lord’s Shepherd’s Rod teaching and believed in it. He had been studying it for over 35 years! Wow, I wasn’t alone on FB. This support was sent from the Lord, as he had arraigned that brother B would be online at that moment to catch the discussion.

Facebook, as far as we knew had been “hush-hush” about the Elijah message, prior to the Lord guiding brother B and myself to “get the ball rolling”. We gladly went forward.

Long story short, we became very good close friends. And the other “close” friend no longer was a friend. In fact more than a few no longer supported me on FB. But we were to turn the tables, for the Lord.

This was actually prophecy being fulfilled —

“I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen, and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people.” (Christian experience and Teachings from EGW, p.176)

As brother B and I became closer , we discussed ideas concerning the Lord’s Elijah message. Then one day I brought up the fact that we should start a Facebook group to promote the Lord’s end time message. He at once agreed. The Lord had orchestrated it all! We soon opened it up with about 100 people from around the world.

The word spread and more and more people became members. Now today the Lord has guided over 500 people to it and it’s still growing weekly. We are actively teaching His final message of Elijah. We give Him praise and glory as He has given us a “job” in His vineyard. His truths are being spread world-wide on Facebook now.

Soon other people started forming other Elijah message groups, and there is close to a dozen today, I believe. You see the Lord’s truth will prevail whether we join with it or fight against it.

“But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”(Act 5:39)

Now we come to the reason this post was titled “A Mighty Sign.” Take a look at the these pictures below.

What you see are wild birds landing on my brother B’s arm. This is a direct sign, and it’s the Elijah sign give to us, His Elijah messengers through our brother! A love token sign given to us, to encourage us, that He’s watching and behind His people.

May we take notice of His frequent signs. They are sent to empower us to continue on the straight and narrow path. We know the Lord is coming very shortly and if you’ve studied like brother B and myself, you know His next coming will be a “surprise” coming. One that is not expected. Type and anti-type will appear.

The type was His first coming . The professed people of God expected Him to come a certain way”a conquering King”, based on what the leaders told them.

The anti-type will be the same. The leaders are saying to expect Him coming in “the clouds” at the second advent, yet Scripture tells us of His surprise coming to His church first. The Satan trick will largely work again! But the Elijah prophet has warned and prepared us, and the Lord is giving us signs. Let’s be ready.

“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.”(Malachi 4:5).

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Satan has from the beginning tried to make mankind not believe what God’s word says. The words, “you shall not surely die” (Gen. 3:4) was a direct refute of the clear word of God. God’s word really doesn’t mean what it says. And what has been the historical result? Mankind has bought it hook, line, and sinker.

As we have learned from our prior posts, the soon to come “beginning phase” of God’s “judgment for the living” is to take place in God’s remnant church. Our prophetess said, ” Here we see that the church–the Lord’s sanctuary– was the first to feel the stroke of the wrath of God” (Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.211). She said those words after describing Ezekiel 9. Solemn indeed!

Imagine if you will, you are driving late at night with your family down a road. Ahead is a policeman with a big fluorescent sign that says “stop!”, and he’s waving it furiously at you to get your attention. How many of us would continue right on? Most of us would pull over. In this case there was a huge crater (sink hole) ahead in the road. Yet today the vast majority within the SDA church are driving straight past the warnings. Isn’t it time we paid attention to God’s last and final warnings?

Recently we received the latest newsletter from Amazing facts. The title is “Satan’s war against God’s word”. It goes on to describe the satanic traps and ways he has worked in america. But what is missing from Amazing Facts and their ministry? It ‘s that warning sign. They ignore the literal judgement to come in God’s house before the plagues. The message of the “Judgement for the living.” Assumption is made that all is well in God’s house until the second advent. There will be no such “first stroke” of God before the coming in the clouds.

Spirit of Prophecy said, “study the 9th chapter of Ezekiel, these words will be literally fulfilled ” (Manuscript Releases, vol. 1, p.260). When is the last time your church had a study on this important chapter? Quite the contrary! Instead they are telling people that those who proclaim the Lord’s soon to come judgments are off-shoots, fanatics, etc.

Just look at a Tennessee SDA church website. Under “Bible study” they teach people that the “Shepherd’s Rod” teachings are false. Little do they know they brother Houteff soundly refuted all those allegations in the “Answerer” and other writings (Tracts, Timely Greeting sermons and Symbolic code news).

We took some time to read their reports and found pure unadulterated confusion and misconception. But the sad thing is, if one is inclined to find hooks and pegs to hang their doubts on, these studies will give you some.

One pastor said that Ezekiel 9 happens “in the plagues” and the other said it happened in the Old Testament days. Which one is correct? Neither.

The word of the Lord says, “Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets, who make my people stray; who chant “peace” while they chew with their teeth, but who prepare war against him, who puts nothing into their mouths..” (Micah 3:5).

Some have said that Ezekiel 9 is symbolic. The Spirit of Prophecy eliminates any such symbolic talk. “We are amid the perils of the last days, the time will soon come when the prophecy of Ezekiel 9 will be fulfilled; that prophecy should be carefully studied, for it will be fulfilled to the very letter.” (1888 Materials, p.1303)

Let us look at some solid inspirational evidence that prove the words of the Lord mean what they proclaim.

IS THE SLAUGHTER OF EZEKIEL NINE LITERAL?

Question No. 25:

“The Shepherd’s Rod” teaches that the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 is literal. Could it not be a destruction such as is caused by so-called “acts of God”-earthquakes, famines, pestilences, the seven last plagues, or the like?

Answer:

“The five agents that destroy the wicked in the church are not forces of nature but men with slaughter weapons in their hands. They are supernatural beings, not natural elements. Hence they cannot fittingly represent earthquakes, famines, or the like.

Neither can they be the seven angels with the seven last plagues, for these angels are seven in number, not five. Furthermore, they do not have “slaughter weapons” in their hands, but vials. Still further, the plagues fall in Babylon (Rev. 18:4), whereas the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 takes place in Judah and Israel (Ezek. 9:9).

Ezekiel 9, whether literal or figurative, effects a separation between the good and the bad, the tares and the wheat, in the church (Judah and Israel), just as the plagues finally do in Babylon (Rev. 18:4). And as the plagues are literal, then how can the slaughter be any less literal?

The angel with the writer’s inkhorn is to place a mark upon the foreheads of all who sigh and cry for the abominations, then the destroying angels are to slay both old and young (Ezek. 9 :4-6).

“The church—the Lord’s sanctuary,” is “the first to feel the stoke of the wrath of God. The ancient men, those to whom God had given great light, and who had stood as guardians, of the spiritual interests of the people, had betrayed their trust. They had taken the position that we need not look for miracles and the marked manifestations of God’s power as in former days. Times have changed.

These words strengthen their unbelief and they say, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil. He is too merciful to visit his people in judgment. Thus peace and safety is the cry from men who will never again lift up their voice like a trumpet to show God’s people their transgressions and the house of Jacob their sins. These dumb dogs, that would not bark, are the ones who feel the just vengeance of an offended God. Men, maidens, and little children, all perish together.” —Testimonies, Vol. 5, p. 211.

As in The Great Controversy, p. 656, only an indirect parallel can be drawn between the slaughter of Ezekiel 9 and the falling of the plagues, because a common end (death) befalls both the wicked in the church of Laodicean and the wicked in the churches of Babylon. And only those who say, “We need not look for miracles and the marked manifestation of God’s power as in former days,” think the slaughter is not literal.” (The Answerer)

Let’s recap what was said. Notice that there is a distinct difference in “5 destroying angels” and “7 angels with vials.” Those who say that the church judgment of Ezekiel 9 happen in the plagues are thus confused. Two different acts and times.

Further inspiration says that this act is the “first” stroke of God’s wrath in His“sanctuary”. Obviously the plagues will be strokes of God’s wrath and so this act must precede them, therefore they cannot be “in” the seven last plagues.

Then we have the argument that Ellen White specifically places Ezekiel 9 in the time of the plagues with her quote in Great Controversy, page 656. This is a legitimate and relevant point and is addressed as follows:

“Before the close of probation there are two “fruits,” the 144,000 and the great multitude (Revelation 7:9), to be separated at two different times–the former’s taking place before the close of probation while “the door is closed to those who would not enter,” and while “His hand is still stretched out to save.” (“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 9, p. 97), thus showing, as does “Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 3, p. 266, that the sealing of the hundred and forty-four thousand is the closing work for the church, whereas the sealing work for the great multitude is the closing work for the world.

Thus, while, in the time of God’s destructive judgments before the close of probation, the door is closed to one class, it is open to another class for whom “His hand is still stretched out to save,” clearly showing that probation closes first for the tares in the church. Moreover, as the time is that of God’s destructive judgments–the separation of the tares from the wheat–the slaughter of Ezekiel Nine is that which severs the wicked from among the just.

there is a double fulfillment of Ezekiel’s slaughter: one in the church before the close of probation, and the other in the worldly churches after the close of probation, when everyone has made his decision. The unfaithful spiritual guardians, or the false watch-men, of the people are the first to fall in the worldly churches, just as the “ancient men” who are in the S.D.A. church are the first to fall. (“Testimonies for the Church,” Vol. 5, p. 211.)

This is the only explanation that will harmonize every statement on this subject found in the Spirit of Prophecy and in the Bible. ” (The Answerer, Vol. 3, Question 145)

The satanic game plan hasn’t changed. Once Satan knew a successful tactic of denying or twisting the plain words of inspiration, he’s been using it ever since with great success. Let us not be one of those who fall into his trap.

The church is about to be “sprued out” to a great degree because the leaders are neglecting their duty to put up the warning signs. They are preaching peace and safety week after week. We are only “safe” in Christ when we obey His word as brought by His prophets. The last prophet was the Elijah prophet.

Going back to that analogy we gave in the beginning, the policeman is representative of those of us willing to “go to work” proclaiming that time is short and that if we don’t stop our wrongful course of paying no heed His final message of Elijah, we will also fall into the ditch (to the dust).

Think about this for a moment. If The Lord made the promise to send a last prophet to His people (Mal 4:5 and Test. to Min. p.475), would He being sending it for an unimportant reason? Of course not. As in every instance in Scripture, the Lord had a purpose to reach His people with His message.

The servant of the Lord gives us true end time instructions–

“The words of Christ apply to the church: “Why stand ye here all the day idle?” Why are you not at work in some capacity in His vineyard? Again and again He has bidden you: “Go ye also into the vineyard; and whatsoever is right, that shall ye receive.” But this gracious call from heaven has been disregarded by the large majority” (Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.203).

Let us not stand idle and watch the other people do what the message tells us we should do. Our church is approaching a gigantic iceberg, are we ready?

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One of the most quoted and theorized quotes in the New Testament is Matthew 16:18-19. As many of us know, this is one of the foundational quotes that the Roman Catholic Church has used to establish its authority as “God’s true church”.

Matt. 16:18 — “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Matt. 16:19 — “And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.”

The world’s most populated church, the Roman Catholic Church, believes that the above quotes applied strictly to Peter. The following is a quote that sums up their belief in those inspiring words.

“…Jesus was declaring that Peter would be the “rock” on which He would build His church. Jesus appears to be using a play on words. “You are Peter (petros) and on this rock (petra) I will build my church.” Since Peter’s name means rock, and Jesus is going to build His church on a rock – it appears that Christ is linking the two together. God used Peter greatly in the foundation of the church. It was Peter who first proclaimed the Gospel on the day of Pentecost. Peter was also the first to take the Gospel to the Gentiles . In a sense, Peter was the rock “foundation” of the church.”

But is that really the Lord’s intention, in speaking those words? Could they have a deeper and a more profound meaning than we generally realize?

There are three divine instructions of God that tell us what is needed for proper interpretations of Scripture. To be (1) “guided into all truth” by the “Spirit of Truth”(John 16:13) as we are (2) ” doing the Father’s will” (John 7:17). (3) “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20).

In other words, there is only one correct interpretation of Scripture and that is by the Lord through the “Spirit of Truth”. Let us now read what His last messenger said about these things. (Victor Houteff’s words are in brown.)

Matt. 16:18 — “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

The words “thou” and “this” comprehend two objects — Peter and the truth he uttered. The name “Peter” in Greek means “stone.” And so what Jesus was actually saying was not to name the man, but rather to tell him that he was selected to be one of the stones in the spiritual structure — the church. But “On this rock [not on a stone] I will build My church,” Jesus declared. On which rock? — Obviously on the solid rock of Truth, the truth which Peter uttered — the truth that Jesus Christ is the “Son of God.”

Then Jesus made known that the gates of hell could not prevail against the Truth, that the gates could not keep in hell (in the grave) even the dead in Christ, that they, too, are to be a part of the ever-living church, the church that stands on the solid Rock of Truth.

Matt. 16:19 — “And I will give unto thee the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in Heaven.”

Jesus here declares that Peter is become the figure, the type, of all those who declare Divinely-revealed truths. To them, as to Peter, are given the keys of the Kingdom; that is, the promulgators of Inspired Truth are authorized to bind and to loose by the power of the Truth. That which they bind on earth is so recognized in heaven.

Elijah bound that there should be a famine for three and one half years, and so it was. Said he, “unto Ahab…there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” 1 Kings 17:1. (Timely Greetings, Vol. 2, No. 29- 4)

Wow, notice what the underlying words say. The trust from the Lord is implicit and vast. He empowers His true servants to “bind and loose” on this earth, and then it’s likewise bound in heaven. In other words, what the servants declare, if they are according to his will, are backed up by the Lord of heaven.

His servants are so in tune and one with Him that He knows they can be trusted! This is the ultimate trust–to be trusted by the King of the Universe to make decisions– that heaven will abide by. Let’s read of some historical examples of this “binding and loosing” given to His servants.

Matt. 16:21-23 — “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee. But He turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offence unto Me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

Here is magnified the aforesaid truth. Peter’s binding or loosing on earth was acceptable in Heaven only when done by means of Divinely-revealed Truth. When speaking from his own impulses and sentiments, Peter was sharply rebuked, and told plainly that his suggestions were not the Truth, but were prompted by Satan. It is therefore plain that the followers of Christ may bind or loose only with the keys of Truth. They are to realize that Truth alone swings open the gates of Heaven.

Finally, if we have Heaven’s Truth for the hour, as Peter had It in his day, we then have the keys of Heaven and can with It bind or loose — Truth’s decisions on earth are the decisions in Heaven.

Matt. 16:24 — “Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

This verse implies that Peter’s concern was more for his own life than for the life of Jesus, for Peter knew that if Jesus were slain, then his own life would be in jeopardy. Hence Peter was told that if any man would follow Jesus, he, too, would voluntarily consent to carry his own cross if Truth so decrees. The Apostles, we are told, did this very thing, and were faithful unto death.

Matt. 16:25-27 — “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to His works.”

The followers of Christ are here told not to shun Truth’s decree though they be required to surrender their own life, for thus losing their lives they will be actually saving them for eternity — they will rise in the resurrection of the just. But for them to forsake Truth in order to appease the enemies of Truth, and thus save their temporal lives would eventually result in their dying the death from which there is no resurrection.

It should be of interest to know whether the Apostle Peter was the first to be given the Keys of Heaven, or whether others had the Keys before him. Since Present Truth committed to an individual is the Keys of Heaven, and since the teaching of It binds and looses things on earth and is so sanctioned in Heaven, then others must have had the Keys before they were passed on to Peter, for the earth, the church, and Heaven-revealed Truth existed before Peter’s time.

Take for example Noah. He declared that there was to be a flood, that everything outside of the ark which he was building would perish, and that everything that entered into it would live. Then the fact that Heaven sent the flood immediately after Noah preached of it is proof in itself that that which Noah bound on earth was bound in Heaven also. Peter, you, see, was not the first to be given the Keys of Heaven.

After Noah, we shall see that the Keys were passed on to Abraham: since that which was to be bound or loosed on earth had to be bound or loosed in Heaven, the three messengers from heaven consulted Abraham concerning the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. It was then covenanted that if there be ten righteous persons in the city where Lot lived they should not destroy it. And so it was.

Logically, after Abraham the Keys should have been passed on to Isaac: Isaac ruled that Jacob should receive the promised blessings even though by birthright they were to be Esau’s. And in spite of the fact that Jacob obtained the promised blessings by a fraud, Heaven still sanctioned that which Isaac bound on earth — Jacob became the progenitor of Christ.

Thus it is that down through the line of Jacob came the Lord, and thus it is that Jacob’s descendants inherited the Promised Land. Having in possession the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, Jacob at the closing hours of his life decreed that Manasseh’s birthright should be given to Ephraim; to this Joseph protested by endeavoring to persuade his father to put his right hand on Manasseh’s head (Gen. 48:17-19), but what Jacob bound on earth was bound in Heaven, for years later, after the death of Solomon, the tribe of Ephraim, not of Manasseh, ruled the kingdom of Israel. We see, then, that what Jacob bound on earth was also bound in Heaven.

Contemporaneously with Jacob, Joseph by interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream bound that there should be seven years of plenty, and seven years of famine. Thus it was that Joseph’s decree was carried out (bound) by Heaven.

And Moses said, “If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the Lord hath not sent me. But if the Lord make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the Lord.” Num. 16:29, 30.

Moses’ decree was bound in Heaven, for“the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, and all their goods.” Num. 16:32.

The Keys of Kingdom you see, passed along from one generation to another — from the Patriarchs to the Prophets, to the Apostles, and on down to our day. For instance, about three score years ago the founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Denomination declared that the General Conference was no longer Heaven’s highest authority on earth (General Conference Bulletin, 34th. Session, Vol. 4, Extra #1, April 3, 1901, pg. 25, Cols. 1 & 2).

And thus it was that when the time arrived for the additional message (which gives power and force to the Third Angel’s Message — “Early Writings,” p. 277) to be proclaimed to the church, it came, not through the General Conference but through the laity. This is proof positive that the Keys with which Peter was invested are at work today.

Plainly, then, the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven are in the hands of those who have the Truth for the day. Consequently just as plain as Heaven can make it, the Truth stands out that the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven today have passed from the hands of the General Conference to the hands of the General Association of Davidian Seventh-day Adventists, as verily as they passed from the Sanhedrin to Peter in the days of Christ’s first Advent. So it is that Truth’s decree on earth today is the decree in Heaven.”

Another story is found in (2 Kings 4:6-37). An intriguing story of Elisha, the succeed-er of Elijah. He declared a wish for a woman , because of her great kindness to him. She begat a son from her very old husband after Elisha’s promise, then later Elisha resurrected this son. What a beautiful example of the keys from heaven bestowed on Elisha, God’s servant!

So in closing, let us understand just what the Lord will do through His servants. The 144,000 will do His will and as such be given the keys from heaven “to bind or loose” on earth. Our only hope now, is that we prepare ourselves and walk daily in His straight and narrow path. The cost now is serious. If we have a spot (cherished sin) it must go.

“The soul temple must not be defiled by any loose or unclean practice. Those whom I will acknowledge in the courts of heaven must be without spot or wrinkle” (Bible Commentary, vol. 7, p.969). The acknowledgement will include those keys aforementioned.

In order to be among His faithful, we must forego all worldliness as much as possible. We must hate sin, plead with our brothers and sisters to know His truth, and love the Lord with all our hearts. Then the Lord will hold nothing back from us. There will be implicit trust between Heaven and His people, amen.

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How many of us have been involved in a club, where we were proud to be a part of it? Maybe the boy scouts, cub scouts, girl scouts, a social club or whatever. And we remember that the meetings were in order and the leaders taught us things that were practical, applicable and really mattered.

But what if that club had many come in and began to ever so slyly disrupt and dis-unite the membership? Even infiltrate the leadership, so that soon the club was nothing like the original beginnings of the club. Soon the original members would be startled to see that the club was no longer holding to its principals, no longer teaching the original helpful message to its members. In other words, the club had morphed into a new strange club, where different ideas and plans were taught. Values changed.

The above scenario is similar to God’s church from the beginning until today. The original Apostolic Christian church held strict Biblical values. Sabbath keeping was “by the book”, yet not overly restricted by man-made rules but Christ inspired love.

The believers were of one accord, the plans and goals, all united. Oh my my, what has our church today “morphed” into? This is not lost in God’s sight, He is ever watchful of His prized possession. What will He do about the current degraded condition of His church?

There is without question an answer soon to come . The prized possession of the Lord will do a 180% turnaround. But how will this come about? What does the Scriptures, SOP and the Elijah message tell us about this “sinless” church to come?

Let us look at some promises from the Lord regarding purification of His church.

“When purification shall take place in our ranks, we shall no longer rest at ease, boasting of being rich and increased with good, in need of nothing.”(Test. for the Church, vol. 8, p.250).

Right now what do we see in our church? A few weeks ago we posted how dress reform is so neglected in His church. Mini-skirts, high heels, loud talking and laughing in His sanctuary, money passing in His sanctuary, are some examples of our offensive sins we see committed each and every Sabbath. We don’t see the leaders stepping forward to warn our members of such dis-honor in His house. Why? Because they are “rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing”.

“The Lord will work to purify His church. I tell you in truth, the Lord is about to turn and overturn in the institutions called by His name. Just how soon this refining process will begin I cannot say, but it will not be long deferred. He whose fan is in His hand will cleanse His temple of it’s moral defilement. He will thoroughly purge His floor “(Test. to Ministers, p.373).

Some may say, “Well yes, He will do all this but it will be at the last moment of time, at the coming of the Lord”. This is not the Lord’s plan. He will purify the church for a purpose. The following quote gives the reason.

” Only those who have withstood temptation in the strength of the Mighty One, will be permitted to act a part in proclaiming it (the 3rd angel’s message) when it shall have swelled into the Loud Cry “(Review and Herald, Nov. 19, 1908).

Ah, we see that the purpose is to fit the church for the Loud Cry. To enable the church is be able to receive His full outpouring of His Spirit. In going back into His history in this regard we see that His Spirit was only “poured out” when His church was worthy and pure.

Two great examples are Joshua and Achan and the Pentecost church.

One sinner in His camp stopped the Lord from performing His mighty power in the case of Achan. Once this sinner and his family were removed the power of the Lord was able to perform. Did the Lord tolerate sin and at the same time pour out His Spirit? The co-mingling, isn’t that the reason we don’t see His mighty power working in His church right now?

Then we saw how the 120 disciplines were given His full Spirit at Pentecost. During this time His church was composed of only faithful members. Two sinners tried to come into the church and were eliminated. “So great fear came upon all those who heard these things”(Acts 5:5). The sinners were not allowed among God’s church and as such, His Spirit worked mightily upon the people.

” But the days of purification are hastening on apace. God will have a people pure and true. In the mighty sifting soon to take place we shall be better able to measure the strength of Israel. The signs reveal that the time is near when the Lord will manifest that His fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly purge His floor “(Test. for the Church, vol. 5, p.80).

Notice that this “mighty sifting” happens to His church –Israel. Who is this Israel? The Seventh-day Adventist Church (Test. for the Church, vol. 9, p.164).

“Oh, that every lukewarm professor could realize the clean work that God is about to make among His professed people ” (Test. for the Church, vol. 1, p.190).

“The great issue so near at hand will weed out those whom God has not appointed, and He will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain” (Letter B-55, 1886).

What a promise! The prophetess of God says, “God..will have a pure, true, sanctified ministry prepared for the latter rain.”

“But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiners fire, and like launderers soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer to the Lord an offering in righteousness” (Mal. 3:2-3).

So how did His church get to be in the current condition it is in? SOP spells it out.

” While the Lord brings into the church those who are truly converted, Satan at the same time brings persons who are not converted into its fellowship. While Christ is sowing the good seed, Satan is sowing the tares. There are two opposing influences continually exerted on the members of the church. One influence is working for the purification of the church, and the other for the corrupting of the people of God” (Test. to Ministers, p.46).

“He who presides over His church and the destinies of nations is carrying forward the last work to be accomplished for this world. To His angels He gives the commission to execute His judgments. Let the ministers awake, let them take in the situation.

The work of judgment begins at the sanctuary. ‘And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brazen altar.’ Read Ezekiel 9:2-7.” Testimonies to Ministers p. 431.

Hopefully we all can agree that some day soon the Lord will do what needs to be done. But some may say, “With the current condition of the church, why don’t we get out and worship in a more holy and pleasing way? Maybe even start a group or small church ourselves. Then the Lord would be pleased with us and spare us in the upcoming purification.”

To our human thinking this might sound like the right thing to do. But here is where we must ask the Lord directly what to do. The Lord knew that such excellent and insightful questions needed to be addressed in the very last hours of the church’s probation.

Actually this idea of leaving the church because of “church wrongs” was first started corporately in the early 1920’s. That movement was called “The Seventh Day Adventist Reform movement”. Later as time went by, the movement basically called the mother SDA church–Babylon. So this idea has been around for decades, but is it the Lord’s will?

As we’ve studied, the one whom the Lord choose to come to His church with the “restoring” answers (truth) was the prophesied–Elijah. Here is what we are given on this issue. (His words in brown)

Question No. 235:

Why do not The Shepherd’s Rod believers and the Reformed S.D.A.’s unite in one?

Answer:

The Rod adherents and the Reformed S.D.A.’s do not unite because, unfortunately, they do not agree. Being in wide variance on some doctrinal issues, union under the circumstances is impossible.

One such doctrinal difference, for instance, is that the Reformed S.D.A.’s teach that the sins in the mother S.D.A. church make her a part of Babylon, whereas the Rod teaches that though she is in a bad condition, yet she is not Babylon: for the sins do not make the name any more than the name makes the sins. Babylon is not so named because of its sins, nor condemned because of being named Babylon, but is denounced because of having fallen and because of having “become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird” Rev. 18:2.

The S.D.A. church may be in even a worse condition,–so bad a condition, in fact, that she does not even know that she is “wretched, and miserable, andpoor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17),–-yet in spite of it all, she is called “Laodicea,” not Babylon. And her members stand, not to be called out as do those in Babylon, but rather to be spued out. The Rod is laboring to save them from being spued out, whereas the Reform movement is calling them to come out.

So their believing as they do, and consequently rejecting the Rod’s message, make mutually impossible our uniting with them and their uniting with us.

As the Lord, moreover, has revealed advanced truth through the Rod, but none through the Reformed S.D.A.’s, obviously, then, were there to be any such union, they must necessarily correct their views and then join with us in accepting the message of the Rod, rather than our throwing overboard its jewels of truth and then joining with them.

“If unity,” says the Spirit of Prophecy, in expressing the attitude of the earlyChristian church,“could be secured only by the compromise of truth and righteousness, then let there be difference and even war.”–The Great Controversy, p. 45.

“We are to unify, but not on a platform of error.”–Mrs. E.G. White, Series B:2, p. 47.

Thus one may easily see that, though our fervent desire is to fulfill Christ’s prayer for unity, we dare not attempt to do so by sacrificing truth, for then we would not be one with Christ, even were we one with all others.

“There is danger of our being so overzealous to keep out of Babylon,” says the founder of the S.D.A. church, “that we shall commit her most noted blunder–that of sticking a stake and refusing to pull it up and advance. When we cease to unlearn errors, we shall fall like those who have gone before us. We have learned much, and no doubt there is much more for us to learn. …It is the ‘follow on’ and the ‘go through’ spirit that will finally land the remnant ‘without fault’ on the heavenly Mount Zion.

My conclusion is that we should give up no Scripture truth, but that our false applications and interpretations of Scripture, and consequent false ideas of order and propriety, should be given up as fast as possible.”–The Review and Herald, May 29, 1860.(Vol. 7 Symbolic Code Nos. 7-12. page 18.)

So we see that despite the church’s numerous sins, we are NOT to leave her. It would be similar to us being on a boat in the ocean and it’s sinking and we get into the lift raft and wave to our family and friends as we paddle away making no effort to help them onto our life raft.

We are to be ever ready to profess the truth to our brethren in the church. If we are enlightened and have been given God plans for His church, the upcoming church purification, we must have a deep love and concern for them. The vast majority of SDA members have no clue about the Lord’s pleading Elijah message, it’s our duty to share it with them.

“The true people of God, who have the spirit of the work of the Lord and the salvation of souls at heart, will ever view sin in its real, sinful character. They will always be on the side of faithful and plain dealing with sins which easily beset the people of God. Especially in the closing work for the church, in the sealing time of the one hundred and forty-four thousand who are to stand without fault before the throne of God, will they feel most deeply the wrongs of God’s professed people” (Test. for the Church, vol.3, p.266)

“Clad in the armor of Christ’s righteousness, the church is to enter upon her final conflict. “Fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners” (Song of Solomon 6:10), she is to go forth into all the world, conquering and to conquer” (Prophet’s and Kings, p. 725)

In closing, we know that there is a purpose why God must do what He must do. He longs to pour out His Spirit upon His church. Will you or I be a part of this upcoming church? Let us dwell on this important issue. Let us strive to become part of His– Church Triumphant.